Hey, Sports Fans!

Queue the symphonic masterpiece of the Olympic Musical Theme. The extra-long awaited 2020 Summer Olympics officially begin today and spans the next couple weeks, out to August 8. Some events like the softball and the men’s and women’s soccer tournaments have already begun a couple days back, but the official beginning of the Games is today.

The Olympic Games are performed every four years and were set to fall last summer. Due to the coronavirus, however, the Games were postponed a year out and we’re now treated to them this year, hosted in the Japanese capital of Tokyo.

While summer camp is about so much more than athletics—fun, friends, nature, self-identity—improving your athletic ability is a really big part of camp. And nearly everything they do in the Summer Olympics is a sport or activity (or at least something in a similar field) that you can participate in during your summer camp stay. From team sports to sports for individual performance on land and in the water, the Olympics is like the worldwide exhibition of the sports of summer camp!

They’ve got Archery. They’ve got Gymnastics. They’ve got Swimming. They’ve got Badminton. There’s Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, BMX Freestyle, BMX Racing, Boxing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Diving, Equestrian Riding, Fencing, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, and more.

While the Summer Games are taking place in Tokyo this year, they were meant to be played last year. It’s been agreed upon that the Games this summer will still be referred to as the 2020 Olympics. Whatever they call it, enjoy tuning into this year’s summer installment of the Olympic Games to make up for last year. And, as always, thanks for reading, Camp Fans!

- John

Hey, Camp Folksssss.

Did you know that today is World Snake Day? While there are definitely those, like my niece, who LOVE snakes, these carnivorous reptiles generally have a bad reputation and—no offense, Tessa—but it’s easy to understand why. After all, these legless creatures slither around and wrap and bite and can potentially kill you. Then again, it’s only about 17% of snake species that are venomous and less than 6% that pose a considerable risk to your life. World Snake Day was created with the intention of encouraging people to learn more about snakes and how they contribute to the world.

Keeping the Balance since 190 Million B.C.
For the fact there are so many snakes (almost 3500 species) that live in any biome on every continent (except Antarctica) and have done so for such a long time, snakes have been one of the most important creatures in maintaining a balance of nature in the world’s ecosystems!

Freaky Creature’s Features
Whether you love them or hate them, everyone can agree that snakes are fascinating! For instance, the world’s longest snake, the Reticulated Python, kills its prey by strangling it. They shed their skin. Without legs they’re able to swim incredibly fast and capable of crossing pretty much any terrain. And, of course, one of the freakiest things about snakes is that they unhinge their jaws to consume their food. 

Nice to Snake your Acquaintance
As I acknowledged above, snakes may not be the right pet for everyone, but if you have an innate interest in these animals like my niece Tessa, you should consider getting a snake. It’d be a great way to celebrate World Snake Day. And many snakes make good pets because they are easy to care for and inexpensive to feed (unless it’s a big boa or python!). But all in all, snakes are clean, quiet, and odor-free. Do some research to make them happy and enjoy their company! They may even be allowed in your college dorm room when that time comes.

Yes, snakes have had a bad reputation since the beginning of time! Since the Garden of Eden. But that doesn’t mean snakes are bad! They’re cool pets for those who like them. I know my niece loves her snake, Qbelios. Have fun learning more about snakes today and look into having one as a pet. As always, thanksssss for reading!

- John

Hey, Fans of Nature Photography!

Today is Nature Photography Day. It’s a day to promote and practice the wonderful art form of nature photography. A true master of the craft, Ansel Adams is one of the most well-known names in the field of photography. I covered him recently as one of photography’s great pioneers! Check out that Blog post by clicking right here.

It is so much fun to simply go traipsing through your local wilderness whether that be a forested path, a beautiful shoreline, flat prairie, rolling hills, or rocky desert and capture the visual glory of the natural world all around you to share with folks who didn’t have the experience or to help people see a common experience from your unique perspective.  

While the beauty of nature is never lost, it can shift quite drastically from one season to the next. Summer, of course, is when everything is at the peak of its liveliness and so Nature Photography Day has been set for June 15^th, just a week or so before the official first day of summer!

Indeed, the summer air is always buzzing with an incredibly active energy. Life abounds! The vegetation is rich with a lively green. Creatures of all kinds are moving this way and that for one thing or another. Birds are chirping. Bugs are literally buzzing. It’s a party!  

Get out to immerse yourself in nature and see what you end up seeing! You might come across some deer or beavers if there’s water around. Everything of the wilderness is growing which means it’s ever-changing. What something looks like today may no longer look the same tomorrow. So capture its existence as it is in the moment you come across it.  

Learn about nature and enjoy capturing it on camera. Nature is all around us. You don’t need to be any kind of professional. Just take part with whatever equipment you have and whatever nature there is around you. Happy Nature Photography Day and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Pen People!

Today is designated to honor the massively popular ballpoint pen! Why today? Well, it *ahem* MARKS the anniversary of the patent being filed for the ballpoint pen back in 1943. Aside from Gel pens and Rollerball Pens (which use the same, basic mechanics), Ballpoint pens are likely the only pens you’ve used in your life unless you have an interest in calligraphy or comics.

Before the invention of the ballpoint pen, people wrote with anything handy that came to a point—traditionally a bird feather—that would get dipped in ink. After a while, the fountain pen came along—typically a wooden body with a metal tip to it that featured a small reservoir that you could fill with ink and continue writing for a longer length of time before needing to refill.  

So how’s the Ballpoint Pen work?

Ballpoint Pens are made to last for weeks and weeks of writing instead of just paragraphs or pages. They function by dispensing ink over a small metal ball at the very point—usually steel, brass, or tungsten carbide. As you move your pen across a paper surface, the ball rolls and leaves an inky trace behind its path.

The design was intended to be a cleaner and more reliable alternative to dip and fountain pens and has become the world's most-used writing instrument with millions being manufactured and sold every day! Despite its current standing in the world, Ballpoint Pens were initially thought to be an inferior pen because handwriting didn’t look as good. School children continued using old-style dip pens for a while before Ballpoint caught on.

Ballpoint Pens have also been called Biro Pens, named after László Bíró who typically gets all the credit for the Ballpoint Pen. Indeed, he IS the inventor of the modern Ballpoint Pen, it is one John J. Loud who is responsible for the Ballpoint technology. His pens, while wrote great on leather, were extremely rough on paper. The patent eventually lapsed and Mr. Bíró jumped on a newer version that wrote nicer on paper.  

Take today to appreciate what a wonderful invention the Ballpoint pen is. Write a note to a friend, a family member, or directly to yourself and do it in ink! Happy Ballpoint Pen Day, Folks! And, as always, thanks for reading.

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Lace up your boots and go hit a local trail. If you’re passionate about hiking, biking, bird watching, geo-caching, horseback riding, or other trail-oriented activities, there’s bound to be a nearby trail for you to enjoy today! No matter what kind of outing you have planned, it feels good simply immersing yourself in the scenic landscape of the natural world.

Here are some great reasons to enjoy, share, and appreciate National Trails Day today—check ‘em out:

Your Own Backyard
Most people live within driving distance of cool trails that are just waiting to be discovered and explored by you. Park trails offer us a chance to escape the bustling city life for a while without traveling too far to experience the peaceful existence of the natural world and enjoy the fresh air of the wilderness.

Togetherness on the Trails
Most trails are maintained by means of volunteer labor, so if you have interest in helping out—don’t hesitate! Check out the American Hiking Society’s website right here to look into volunteer opportunities for yourself. You can also look into events being held in celebration of National Trails Day or hosting an event yourself to take charge and bring your community together.

Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing
Delivering an aspect of physical exertion that treadmills and exercise bikes cannot, trails incorporate beautiful winding turns that feature new landscapes and provide a treat for your eyes. Trails provide an abundance of mental health benefits as well; the air you breathe in is much crisper and brings a fresh supply of oxygen to your brain, resulting in a happier you.

Shop our site for an excellent pair of Trail Shoes and find a trail in your neck of the woods! You can check out the video below to learn about the American Hiking Society and, as always, thanks for reading.

- John